Campus announcements
All classes to resume and other updates
31 October 2017 | 15:55 | Campus AnnouncementDear students and colleagues
The campus announcement aims to inform members of the University of Cape Town community about:
1. All classes to resume
UCT will return to face-to-face teaching on all campuses on Wednesday, 1 November 2017. Similarly, all other UCT operations, including tests, examinations and practicals, will continue as scheduled.
2. The university assembly on free education
Does UCT support the call for free education?
UCT students and staff are invited to a university assembly on Wednesday, 1 November 2017, at 15:00 outside the Memorial Hall (previously known as Jameson Hall). The assembly aims to determine the university’s view on issues including free education, fee increments and financial exclusion. Jammie Shuttles will run from 14:00 to 15:00 to transport staff and students to the assembly.
Various speakers will give their viewpoints and it will be an important opportunity for the university community to come together to make a very public statement about the funding of higher education at a critical time, just before the release of the Fees Commission report. As a place of debate and thought leadership, UCT needs to offer solutions to the problem of financial barriers to higher education, and to share ideas to address the sustainability of a high quality university sector.
3. Postponement of the VC Inaugural Lecture
The Vice-Chancellor’s Inaugural Lecture, which was scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 1 November 2017, has been postponed. A new date is yet to be determined for the lecture, which was set to be presented by Professor Maano Ramutsindela. Details of the rescheduled lecture will be communicated once confirmed.
4. The interim interdict
UCT approached the Western Cape High Court seeking interdictory relief with respect to unlawful protest action. The matter was heard on Monday, 30 October 2017. The court granted an interim interdict, effective immediately.
5. Statement by USAf
Universities South Africa (USAf), a representative association of all 26 public universities in the country, has issued a statement in response to the leaking of the Fees Commission report.
6. Reminder of the call for renaming Jameson Memorial Hall
Members of the UCT community are invited to comment on the proposal to rename Jameson Memorial Hall to Sarah Baartman Memorial Hall. Please submit your comments by Friday, 10 November 2017.
7. MTN extends free internet access to academic resource sites
UCT students who are MTN subscribers now have free internet access following a decision by the mobile network provider to zero-rate most academic resource sites. MTN joins Vodacom and Cell C in enabling students to access university resources free of charge until September 2018. UCT students will not require a special SIM card to access the zero-rated sites.
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Campus Updates – October and November 2017
UCT recognises the right to engage in legitimate and peaceful protest and urges protesters to respect the rights of other members of the campus community to attend classes and arrive at work.
Daily updates
Campus communications
Read official reports and statements about fees in the higher education sector...
In a statement to UCT students, Vice-Chancellor Dr Max Price said:
“I wish no student to be ignorant about what constitutes unlawful protest behaviour.
Disruption of classes, blocking of entrances or exits, interfering with traffic flow, putting up barricades that prevent people from conducting normal business or attending classes, and any form of intimidation – whether physical or verbal – is unlawful.”